Port Macquarie residents will appreciate - and commend - the letter that went forward from the council last week to the Minister for Public Works in regard to the town’s water supply.

The council’s letter said the situation is a critical one, and some of the flaws highlighted included dependence on a single line from up river to bring the water in; the need for more storage, peak usage equal to the capacity of the scheme to put water into the reservoirs; the inferior quality of the water at regular intervals; and word from the Public Works Department that at least eight years must elapse before there’s likely to be any government subsidy to help Port Macquarie overcome its problem.

While giving credit for the action now being taken it must be remembered this problem is not a new one.

The faults in the scheme were apparent even before the advent of sewerage and, with that and the phenomenal growth of the town, it was as plain as day for all to see that something of a major nature had to be done.

A Christmas flood has lent emphasis to council’s action in trying to convince the Public Works Department. It just cannot be that no government help will be available for eight years.

The state member, Mr Cowan, knows the situation well enough. He knows how growth of the town forced sewerage on the people before government help was available; he knows how the people here had to face the full cost of the new two-million-gallon reservoir and a booster station - to meet the demands made on one of the state’s playgrounds.

The people will unanimously support the council in its latest approach to the state government.

Motel boundaries

A developer is seeking to replace the old Waterview Guest House with a motel. The building complied with street alignments to both Clarence and Munster Street.

However, a new order relating to motels requires distances from all boundaries; in this case 10ft; from the eastern boundary for the first 10ft; in height, and a further 2ft 6in for each additional 10ft in height.

On the lot right next door, and built in recent times, the guest house and motel just about occupy the whole of the land.

The new building was to be five feet from this boundary, and for that reason was rejected.

Mother on need for crossings – Letter to the Editor

Sir. In my opinion there should be a pedestrian crossing in Horton Street, preferably two. 

In Kempsey there are five such crossings and one in High Street, Wauchope.

As a mother of two pre-school children, one in a stroller, one walking, I find it difficult and at times almost dangerous to cross Horton Street.

When you stop to consider that you have to cross through five lanes of traffic, two moving, three stationary (unless driving out or parking) you will understand why.

It has been especially busy in Horton Street over the Christmas holiday period.

I hope that the authorities involved will consider a crossing or crossings soon. Yours faithfully, (Mrs.) Gloria Campbell.